By Office of Sustainable Campus (OSC)
21 August 2025 – The Office of Sustainable Campus (OSC) at the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) successfully hosted the Connect & Conserve Sustainability Awareness Workshop on 20 August 2025 at the Robert B. Banks Auditorium, AIT Conference Center. The workshop brought together more than 100 participants, including faculty, staff, and a large number of newly enrolled students, to strengthen awareness of sustainability, climate action, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative reflects AIT’s vision of developing a Botanical Garden Campus and achieving Net Zero emissions by 2030, outlining both the action plan and community contributions needed to achieve these goals.
The event opened with inspiring remarks from Prof. Abdul Salam, Dean of the School of Environment, Resources and Development (SERD), and Mr. Voravate Chonlasin, Executive Director of AIT Extension and Director of CIFAL UNITAR. Both emphasized the urgency of climate action and highlighted AIT’s pivotal role in advancing sustainability leadership across the region. Their messages set the tone for an afternoon of interactive learning and collaboration, beginning with a lively Kahoot quiz on sustainability and the SDGs.
The program featured a special talk by Dr. Zakir Hossain, Program Director and Senior Program Specialist at AIT Extension, who underscored the importance of training, partnerships, and knowledge sharing in advancing sustainable development. Ms. Yasmin, Campus Environment Chair of the AIT Student Union, presented the Union’s Sustainability Action Plan, highlighting the active role of students in driving campus initiatives. Mrs. Sireesha Bantu, Director of OSC, shared AIT’s sustainability roadmap, detailing progress in energy efficiency, waste reduction, and net-zero commitments, while also noting AIT’s strong performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings.
A major highlight of the workshop was the Climate Change Role-Play Simulation Game, where students worked in teams to identify sustainability challenges and propose cross-sector solutions involving stakeholders such as government, private sector, NGOs, academia, youth, finance, and the energy sector. The activity fostered teamwork, critical thinking, and collaboration, reflecting the shared responsibility required to address climate challenges.
The workshop concluded with a prize distribution ceremony and the opening of SDG Games Booths, which engaged participants in interactive activities designed to reinforce sustainability knowledge in practical and enjoyable ways. A networking session over coffee and tea provided a final opportunity for participants to exchange ideas and strengthen community connections.
Through Connect & Conserve 2025, AIT reaffirmed its commitment to advancing sustainability education and action, empowering its community to connect, collaborate, and innovate for a greener and more resilient future.
